Nectarine tree named ‘NECTARBOOM’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTARBOOM’, has a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive homogenous purple red skin color. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARBOOM’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2010/0486 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 (03/02/10) which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whitenectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica, which hasbeen given the variety denomination ‘NECTARBOOM’. This new tree producesfruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree aftergrowth completion and after harvesting, large fruit with very goodeating quality, fresh fruit for fresh market in early July in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARJUNE’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,379) white nectarine tree, standard variety, forreliable description. ‘NECTARBOOM’ is a promising candidate forcommercial success in that it has a semi-early period of flowering,fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, andso a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘NECTARBOOM’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the southof France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.The male parent is ‘NECTARPERLE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,548), whitenectarine tree with very attractive fruit and the female parent‘NECTAPRIMA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,583) is a yellow nectarine tree.‘NECTARPERLE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,548) results from a crossingbetween a male parent ‘ZAITABO’ (BIG TOP®) yellow nectarine and a femaleparent ‘MAILLAROSETTE’ (MAMIROSETTE®) nectarine. ‘MAILLAROSETTE’(MAMIROSETTE®) is a variety resulting from a controlled seedbed of‘ZAIRESI’ (RED SILVER®). It blooms at the same time as ‘ZAIGIBE’ (QUEENRUBY®) variety, between 1^(st) and 12^(th) of March and the first fruitof ‘NECTARPERLE’ ripens in July, 3 days before the first fruit of‘ZAIGIBE’ (QUEEN RUBY®) variety. More particularly, it approximatelyripens between July 17^(th) and 28^(th). ‘NECTAPRIMA’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 17,583) results from a crossing between a male parent ‘ARMKING’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarine tree and a female parent ‘ZAITABO’(BIG TOP®) nectarine tree. ‘NECTAPRIMA’ blooms at the same time as‘MAILLARA’ (BIG BANG®) variety, more precisely 3 days before ‘ZAITABO’(BIG TOP®) variety, between 2^(nd) and 16^(th) of March. The first fruitof ‘NECTAPRIMA’ nectarine tree ripens in early June 7 days before thefirst fruit of ‘MAILLARA’ (BIG BANG®) variety, nearly one month beforethe first fruit of ‘ZAITABO’ (BIG TOP®) variety. More particularly, thefirst fruit of ‘NECTAPRIMA’ approximately ripens between June 1^(st) and12^(th). ‘NECTARBOOM’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagatedby grafting in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.‘NECTARBOOM’ variety has been determined to have unique tree and fruitcharacteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production.There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scioncultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original treeand all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. Theplant of the ‘NECTARBOOM’ variety was reproduced asexually in Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, the plant ofthe ‘NECTARBOOM’ variety was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree ‘NECTARBOOM’ bloomsfrom late February to beginning of Marchnear Elne in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms atthe same time of ‘NECTARJUNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,379). The bloomingperiod is considered semi-early.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARBOOM’ ripens in late June, around 4to 5 daysbefore the first fruit of ‘NECTARJUNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,379)variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 23^(rd)and the 30^(th) of June.

The fruit is very attractive, and the fruit size is larger than thefruit of ‘NECTARJUNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,379). The productivity isalso higher than the productivity of ‘NECTARJUNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.19,379).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows two typical fruits of the newvariety ‘NECTARBOOM’ at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTARBOOM’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-uprightaspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side awayfrom sun. Flowering begins semi-early in springtime. The type of floweris non showy, with very small petal size. Petals are dark pink to purplepink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity forconsumption is considered early. The fruit flesh is white with a slightred pigmentation under the skin and into the stone cavity. Fruit skin isvery thick, of purple red color on a red ground. The stone isclingstone, of medium to large size and the flesh is more or lessadherent according to the fruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘NECTARJUNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,379) the flowering issimilar and is considered as semi-early. The maturity period is earlierof 4 to 5 days and is considered as early. The fruit is very round,purple red on 90% to 100% of the fruit skin on a red ground. The fruitis also very firm and resistant in comparison with other varietiesavailable at that period of the year.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved during the second fruiting season under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, inthe Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have beenmade on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR®’tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial            nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50            meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80            meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters including            current seasons shoots length.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous. The present variety grew from about 60.0            centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the first            and following growing seasons. For second and following            seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate height of            2.50 meters.        -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Considered medium. A thinning of 1 fruit out of 4            was necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be            too important because of the high magnifying potential of            the fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-upright naturally.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored            with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on            different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised            between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of            the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained            temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was            also very resistant to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.5 centimeters and 6.5            centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately            30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second            growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the            second growing season. The number of lenticels reaches 3 to            4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 0.15 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to            0.4 centimeters in width.        -   Lentical color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a            silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside            surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C to 166 D).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 B            to 201 C or RHS BLACK 200C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety. Mature branches            show a length between 80.0 and 100.0 centimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0            millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing            season have a diameter comprised between 10.0 and 17.0            millimeters.        -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is            several years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 85            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Internode length.—Generally 20.0 millimeters to 34.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to 199            B).        -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips            is considered a light yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to 144 C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            GROUP 187 A to 187 B or GREYED RED 182 A) following the            position on the shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,            current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is above 3.43.        -   Leaf length.—From 135.0 to 170.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole. Average length of 150.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—From 36.0 to 52.0 millimeters. Average width of            43.8 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal            axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip form.—Acuminate and small.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark green (RHS GREEN 137            A). Lower surface. A lighter green (RHS GREEN 138 A) than            the upper leaf surface color. Leaf texture. Smooth and            glabrous. Leaf venation. Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 C to 145 D) and evolves with maturity. Leaf            margins. Slightly undulating. Form. Considered slightly            dentate. Uniformity. Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2            or 3. In this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size            with one or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and            more).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered medium. Length. About 7.5 to            12.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 1.5 millimeters. Color.            Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B to            144 C) and light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B) on the lower            surface.        -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered small to medium. Their length            is about 1.5 millimeters. Their width is between 0.8 and 1.0            millimeter. Number. Generally 2 to 3. Type. Reniform. Color.            On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered pale green            (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A to 145 B). On older leaves, leaf            gland color turns to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to            199 B). Margins. Smooth and regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed at            the base of the petioles. But as seen in the characteristic            relative to the leaves uniformity, it is possible to find            leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a normal-size leaf and            smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,            the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their            form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions.            Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.            Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 B or            GREYED BROWN GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is            generally of pink purple color (RHS RED PURPLE 60 D). Petals            color shows an evolution until the end of blooming.            Hardiness. The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,            with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The            current variety has not been intentionally subjected to            drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good            resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an            average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks            in summer. Date of bloom. Generally late February-beginning            of March. The first bloom was observed on Feb. 26, 2005.            Second, third and fourth blooms took place respectively on            Feb. 24, 2008, Mar. 1, 2009 and Mar. 19, 2010. Blooming            time. Considered semi-early in relative comparison to other            commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The date of full            bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period. The            date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and            cultural practices. Duration of bloom. Approximately 8 days.            This characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing            climatic conditions. Flower type. The variety is considered            to have a non-showy type flower. Flower size. Considered            medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 20.0            millimeters. Bloom quantity. Considered average            flower-bearing, approximately 30 flowers per meter. Flower            bud frequency. Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,            occasionally 1.        -   Petal.—Size. Considered very small for the species. Length.            Generally about 12.0 millimeters. Width. Generally about 8.0            millimeters. Petal form. Elliptic. Petal count. Nearly            always 5. Petal texture. Smooth. Petal color. Both surfaces            of the petal are colored with a dark Pink (RHS RED PURPLE            61 D) when young to purple pink (RHS RED PURPLE 61 A)            darkening with advancing senescence. Fragrance. Soft.        -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately 4.5            millimeters. Width. Approximately 3.0 millimeters. Petal            margins. Very slightly wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally            dome-shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having            an average length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Average 1.5 millimeters. Color. Brown to light            brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C to N199 D).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.            The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown            (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or GREY BROWN 199 A)            color. The inner surface is yellow green (RHS YELLOW 13 A to            13 B or YELLOW GREEN 150 A to 150 B).        -   Sepals.—Number. Generally 5. Surface texture. The outer            surface has a fine pubescent texture. Size. Medium. Ovoid            shape. Length. Approximately from 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.            Width. Approximately from 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Color. A            flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or GREY BROWN 199            A). Average number of stamens per flower. Average 40 stamens            per flower.        -   Anthers.—Length. Small. Color. Red to orange red color (RHS            GREYED PURPLE 178 A). Anthers are becoming yellow at            maturity. The color evolves with flowering. Pollen            production. Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color (RHS            YELLOW ORANGE 17 B to 17 C) evolving with maturity. The            present variety is auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately 7.0 to            12.0 millimeters in length. Usually of an equal size than            the stamens. Color. Considered pale pink (RHS RED PURPLE 62            C to 62 D or RED PURPLE 73 A to 73 B). The color is evolving            with flowering.        -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately from 16.0            to 18.0 millimeters including the ovary. Usually the pistil            length is equal or slightly higher than the stamens length.            Color. Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D or            RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 D). The color is evolving with            flowering. Surface texture. Glabrous.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 4, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 12, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Generally. Considered large, with a homogeneous size            between them. Average cheek diameter. From 72.0 to 78.0            millimeters to 85.0 millimeters. Average axial diameter.            From 68.0 millimeters 75.0 millimeters. Typical weight.            Generally between 200.0 grams and 240.0 grams. This            characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. Round to slightly oblong. The fruit            is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.            Fruit suture. Flared shape, slightly marked, extending from            the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching            exists along the suture line.        -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the            blush fruit color, a homogenous purple red (RHS RED PURPLE            59 A) on a ground (RHS RED 46 A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Apex. Usually not prominent,            very slightly marked. Base. Semi-flared, shallow. Stem            cavity. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0            millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered very thick and strong, and            tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.            Texture. Glabrous. Taste. Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.            Tendency to crack. None.        -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous purple            red (RHS RED PURPLE 59 A). The red blush covers 90% to 100%            of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on            the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependent            upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was            grown. Ground color. The ground color appears until 10% of            the fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS RED 46            A). Fruit stem. Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 8.0            millimeters. Diameter. Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color.            Pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A to 145 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. Very homogenous, slow, very evenly. Texture.            Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, and juicy at            harvesting maturity stage. Fibers. Not fibrous. Aroma.            Pronounced. Eating quality. Considered very good, aromatic.            Flavor. Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally around            12 degrees and acidity is comprised between 6 and 9            meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy and aromatic.            Juice. Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. Approximately            12.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the            number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and            the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. White            flesh (RHS GREEN WHITE 157 B to 157 C) usually with a red            pigmentation under the fruit skin in the stone cavity (RHS            RED PURPLE 61 A).        -   Stone.—Type. Clingstone, more or less adherent according to            the fruit maturity. Stone cavity.e Medium size, with an            ovoid form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's            dimensions. Size. Considered medium to large for the            variety. The stone size varies significantly depending upon            the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions.            Length. From 29.0 to 34.0 millimeters. Width. From 23.0 to            26.0 millimeters. Diameter. From 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters.            Form. Elliptic. Base. Straight, flat.        -   Apex.—Shape. The stone apex is prominent.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. The pit is usually            transversely furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are            more pronounced toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward            the base. Relief is prominent generally and present basally.            Ridges. The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. Considered small to medium, and having            a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Grooved. Stone color. The color of the            dry stone is purple brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A to 187 B)            with some zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 173 C to            173 D). Tendency to split. Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 17.0 millimeters. Width.            About 11.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 4.0 millimeters.            Form. Considered oblate and elliptic. Pellicle. Slight            pubescent. Color. The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS            GREYED ORANGE 165 B). The almond, which is the seed of the            kernel, is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155 B). The kernel and its            embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARBOOM’ is considered to be a            white nectarine tree of the early season of maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered large, firm, and            attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked            consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at            2° degree Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low            sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to            conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong            skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by a large fruit of very long shelf lifewithout alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white fleshof high eating quality and an attractive skin color, with a very highpercentage of purple red.